Wednesday, September 11, 2024

TIFFANY TAYLOR STAR Writer A n elderly woman wept openly in court on Monday after her grandson, who she alleges stole $1.5 million from her, indicated he would not be making full restitution. ”My daughter call me from foreign yesterday and say I must just take the money that he is giving me. I’m just tired of it, just want to finish the case,” the elderly woman said, in between tears. Tremaine Emanuel pleaded guilty to housebreaking and larceny after being before the court for almost six months. It was reported that he stole $1.5 million, the complainant’s life savings. The monies were stored in the woman’s bedroom as well as a whatnot. “I had a bad experience with the bank, that’s why I keep it [money] in the house,” the complainant said at the first court hearing. But Emanuel disputed the sum, claiming he only stole $500,000. “This man has called down trouble on his head for what he did to his grandmother. It is wicked. He may live a hard life, he may not even die young,” Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell said. The defendant was offered bail in the sum of $250,000 with sureties. A strict condition was imposed that he does not visit his grandmother’s home. Burrell indicated further that Emanuel, while on bail, could make payments to his grandmother. But the complainant quickly objected. ”I don’t want him to give me any money. They (the prosecutors) have my number, let him pay it at the court office and I will collect it at another time. Let them call me when it’s ready,” she added. Emanuel is also required to report to the police three times weekly and surrender his travel documents. He was made the subject of a fingerprint order, and a social enquiry report was requested by the judge to assist with sentencing on December 6. “I need him to tell me why I shouldn’t send him to prison, especially after hearing those aggravating factors,” Judge Burrell said. 6 THE STAR NEWS • Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com Courtroom heartbreak Grandson’s alleged $1.5m theft sparks emotional outburst from grandma